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June 26, 2007

Summer movies at Kimball Theatre offer broad appeal to audiences

Dramas, thrillers--even French comedies. The Kimball Theatre presents an exquisite selection of critically acclaimed films this summer that extends across multiple genres and offers stories that boast complex sets of characters. While some films, such as Julia Loktev’s drama/thriller, “Day Night Day Night,” may leave you on the edge of your seat, others--such as Francis Veber’s comedy, “The Valet”--may laugh you right out of your seat. Whatever piques your interest, catch any or all of the films being shown at the Kimball Theatre this July and August, which include:

The Namesake, July 1-3, 6:45 and 9 p.m. Director Mira Nair (“Monsoon Wedding”) brings to the screen a poignant look at what it means to be an American family. Jumping between the equally colorful and vibrant cities of Calcutta and New York, “The Namesake” follows the Guangulis, who came to the United States from India to experience a world of limitless opportunities, only to be confronted with the perils and confusion of trying to build a meaningful life in a baffling new society. Rated: PG-13.

Black Book, July 5-10, 6:30 and 9 p.m. Director Paul Verhoeven (“RoboCop” and “Basic Instinct”) returned to the Netherlands after more than 20 years of success in Hollywood to direct this epic-scale war drama based on a true story. Rachel Steinn (Carice van Houten) is a Jewish woman living in Holland. When Axis forces take control, Rachel’s family is killed in a bombing raid and the city’s Jews are sent to the death camps. Rachel narrowly avoids capture and joins the local resistance movement. She soon finds herself caught up in a dangerous double life as a spy in the Nazi ranks. Winner of the Best Actress, Best Director and Best Film awards at the 2006 Netherlands Film Fest. Dutch, German, Hebrew and English with subtitles. Rated: R.

The Lookout, July 10-15, 6:45 and 8:45 p.m. A former high school hockey star handicapped in a tragic car accident becomes an unlikely ally to a crack team of determined bank robbers in this thriller starring Jeff Daniels and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“Brick,” “Mysterious Skin” and “3rd Rock From the Sun”). Screenwriter Scott Frank (“Out of Sight” and “Minority Report”) makes his directorial debut, working from his own original screenplay. Rated: R.

Away From Her, July 15-22, 7 and 9 p.m. This lyrical screenplay adaptation of celebrated author Alice Munro’s short story, “The Bear Came Over the Mountain,” is a beautiful yet unconventional story of a couple coming to grips with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. This film marks the arrival of an exciting new filmmaker in Canadian actress Sarah Polley, who makes her feature screenwriting and directorial debut. Stars Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent, Olympia Dukakis and Michael Murphy. Rated: PG-13.

Day Night Day Night, July 20-24, 6:45 and 8:30 p.m. A 19-year-old girl (Luisa Williams) prepares to become a suicide bomber in Times Square. Her accent is not particularly out of place and it’s impossible to pinpoint her ethnicity. We never learn why she made her decision – she has made it already. We don’t know whom she represents, what she believes in – we only know she believes it absolutely. The film strips the story down to its existential core. Instead of distancing the central character from the viewer, writer-director Julia Loktev terrifyingly draws the audience closer. Winner of the Prix Regards Jeune Award at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and the Someone to Watch Award at the 2007 Independent Spirit Awards. Not rated.

The Hoax, July 24-29, 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. Director Lasse Hallstrom (“Chocolat” and “Cider House Rules”) offers a brisk account of the scam that shook the literary community with this semi-comic biographical drama starring Richard Gere as the man who sold a fraudulent biography of Howard Hughes to publishing giant McGraw Hill. Also stars Julie Delpy and Alfred Molina. Rated: R.

Waitress, July 28-Aug. 5, 6:45 and 8:45 p.m. Jenna (Keri Russell) is a waitress in a small-town diner who learns that she is pregnant. Normally, this would be good news, but she is trapped in a dysfunctional marriage with her lowlife husband (Jeremy Sisto). The only positive things in her life are her two oddball co-workers (Adrienne Shelly and Cheryl Hines), her amazing pie-making abilities and her illicit romance with her suave doctor (Nathan Fillion). “Waitress” debuted at the Sundance Film Festival just months after actress/director Adrienne Shelly was discovered dead – the victim of a homicide. Rated: PG-13.

La Vie en Rose, Aug. 4-12, 6:30 and 9 p.m. A swirling, impressionistic portrait of an artist who regretted nothing, writer-director Olivier Dahan’s “La Vie en Rose” stars 2005 Cesar Award-winner Marion Cotillard (“A Very Long Engagement”) in a blazing performance as the legendary French icon Edith Piaf. From the slums of Paris to the limelight of New York, Piaf’s life was a battle to sing and survive, live and love. Cotillard is dubbed with Piaf’s original recordings. Also stars Sylvie Testud and Gerard Depardieu. French with subtitles. Rated: PG-13.

The Valet, Aug. 11-18, 6:45 and 8:30 p.m. Francis Veber, master of the French farce, has combined his classic elements of hilarious slapstick with quick-witted dialogue in this tale of a billionaire industrialist who is caught with his mistress by paparazzi. To avoid a messy divorce, he invents an outrageous lie and asks his mistress to pose as the sweetheart of a valet parking attendant. Stars Gad Elmaleh, Daniel Auteuil, Alice Taglioni and Kristin Scott Thomas. French with subtitles. Rated: PG-13.

Once, Aug. 17-24, 7 and 8:45 p.m. A modern day musical set on the streets of Dublin. It tells the story of a busker and an immigrant during an eventful week as they write, rehearse and record songs that reveal their unique love story. Directed by John Carney and features a cast comprised entirely of professional musicians (Glen Hansard of The Frames plays the lead). Winner of the World Cinema Audience Award at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Rated: R.

Ten Canoes, Aug. 24-28, 6:45 and 8:30 p.m. It is the distant past, tribal times. Dayindi covets one of the wives of his older brother. To teach him the proper way, he is told a story from the mythical past, a story of wrong love, kidnapping, sorcery, bungling mayhem and revenge gone wrong. In English storytelling and subtitled Ganalbingu language, this is a film unlike any you have ever seen. Winner of six Australian Film Institute Awards including Best Direction and Best Film. Also winner of Un Certain Regard and Special Jury Prize Awards at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. Not rated.

Crazy Love, Aug. 28-Sept. 3, 7 and 8:45 p.m. Documentary filmmaker Dan Klores’ “Crazy Love” tells the astonishing story of the obsessive roller-coaster relationship of Burt and Linda Pugach, which shocked the nation during the summer of 1959. Burt, a 32-year-old married attorney and Linda, a beautiful, single 20-year-old girl had a whirlwind romance, which culminated in a violent and psychologically complex set of actions that landed the pair’s saga on the cover of endless newspapers and magazines. With the cooperation of the principles, Burt, now 79, and Linda, 68, Klores examines the human psyche and the concepts of love, obsession, insanity, hope and forgiveness. Rated: PG-13.

Unless otherwise noted, movie admission is $6.50 for adults and $5.50 for seniors, students and children. For more information, contact the Kimball Theatre Box office at (757) 565-8588 or visit www.kimballtheatre.com.

The Kimball Theatre, located in downtown Williamsburg’s Merchants Square, is owned and operated by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the not-for-profit educational institution that operates the restored 18th-century capital of Virginia. The Kimball Theatre box office is open 1-9:15 p.m.